FAMU football coach Joe Taylor resigns

Florida A&M football coach Joe Taylor, who owns the career Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference wins record, announced he is resigning effective immediately Wednesday night.

Taylor said he planned to retire at the end of the season before the struggling Rattlers (3-6, 3-3 MEAC) lost 16-3 at North Carolina A&T Nov. 3, but he decided to accelerate his departure plans.

“With the enormous amount of coverage that my retirement has been receiving, I felt it was best to step aside and let the team focus on the last two games,” Taylor said in a FAMU news release announcing his decision.

“With me, it has always been about the student-athletes not me. I want to thank FAMU for the opportunity they gave me to finish out my coaching career here at this fine institution. I wish them well in their future endeavors.”

Florida A&M is slated to hold a press conference today and is expected to introduce an interim coach who will lead the team when the Rattlers play their homecoming game against North Carolina Central Saturday at 3 p.m.

Taylor posted a 35-19 record at Florida A&M in five seasons. He previously coached at a variety of schools, including Hampton, Virginia Union and Howard. Taylor finished his career with a 233-96-4 record, placing him third among historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) coaches in career wins.